Full specs of the Lebanese A-29 Super Tucano variant

Lebanon sealed a deal for 6 A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft at $462 millions back in 2015. The announcement of the deal confirmed some parts of the expected specifications & armaments, but also raised questions about other much required capabilities (i.e. will it support Hellfire?) and about the higher cost compared to other A-29 deals (Ex. Nigeria and Afghanistan). As per the announcement, the aircraft will be equipped with ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensing Systems, AN/AAR-60(V)2 Missile Launch Detection Systems, and non-SAASM Embedded Global Positioning System/Initial Navigation System (EGIs). Besides they will support the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS).

A record in the [US] Federal Register however gives clear details on the complete specifications. The Lebanese variant will be equipped with MX–15 Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Laser sensor suite (same as those on the AC-208B Combat Caravan) and will be capable of employing the following systems mounted on its six external hard points:

• AGM–114M3, N3, & R5 Hellfire missiles

1. M3 is blast fragmentation variant
2. N3 is thermometric variant
3. R5 is a variant of Hellfire Romeo - multi-function warhead

• 2.75′′ rockets (MK4, MK40, MK 66, Hydra 70)
• GBU-12 Paveway II - Mk 82 500 lb (227 kg) bomb
• GBU-58 Paveway II - Mk 81 250 lb (113.4 kg) bomb
• APKWS II
• FN HMP-400 .50 caliber gun pods

In addition "critical cockpit, fuel system and engine components" will have aircraft armor (probably from TenCate) able to withstand small arms fire.

With the AGM-114 Hellfire support, the Lebanese variant could be considered the most advanced variant of the A-29 Super Tucano as this capability was not previously supported. Providing this capability is most likely part of the higher cost reported.

The training of Lebanese pilots already started earlier in 2017. We hope to see the Lebanese Air Force flying Super Tucanos in action very soon!

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Army receives 100 Hellfire missiles

The USA has expedited arms and ammunition shipments to the LAF in the wake of August 2014 Battle of Ersal with ISIS and Nusra Front (More Info).

By the end of that month, the USA had already delivered 480 AT-4 missiles, 1500 M16-A4, and 60 mortars (Ref). The USA promised to deliver more arms and ammunition in the following weeks without the need to issue press statements upon each delivery.

Among these following deliveries, the USA delivered 100 Hellfire missiles, as confirmed by Aram Nerguizian (Ref). Aram also detailed later that the shipment included the Thermobaric variant (AGM-114N) of the missile (Ref).

The LAF has successfully used the missile since the eruption of the battle using the Cessna AC-208B.